City Comparison
Fishers vs Terre Haute
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fishers scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Fishers
Terre Haute
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Terre Haute is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
35% lower than in Fishers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fishers's average rent is
94% higher than Terre Haute's.
| Metric | Fishers | Terre Haute | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $850 | +94% |
| Groceries | $420 | $350 | +20% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $210 | +10% |
| Monthly Total | $2,605 | $1,685 | +55% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fishers offers 50% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fishers delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fishers is estimated at
$62,000 vs $42,000 in Terre Haute.
| Metric | Fishers | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $52,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $42,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,222 idx | 61,905 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $47,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Terre Haute comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fishers sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fishers | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.60°F | 55.20°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 84.50°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 21.70°F |
| Rainfall | 38.40 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | 18.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | 257 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Terre Haute has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Fishers.
Fishers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fishers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fishers | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fishers is the larger city
— approximately 1.8x the population of Terre Haute.
From a growth perspective, Fishers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fishers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fishers | Terre Haute |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 104,909 | 58,380 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fishers
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Indiana with exceptionally low crime rates per FBI reporting.
Hamilton Southeastern Schools and other local districts are top-rated statewide for academic performance.
Thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem supported by the Indiana IoT Lab and local business incubators.
Extensive parks and recreation infrastructure, including the Nickel Plate Trail and Geist Reservoir access.
Vibrant downtown Nickel Plate District featuring dining, shopping, and regular community events.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and overall cost of living sit noticeably above the Indiana state average.
High degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands outside of the central district.
Increasing traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak morning and evening commute hours.
Property tax rates in Hamilton County reflect high local service funding but add to homeownership costs.
Limited traditional public mass transit options connecting directly to broader regional employment hubs.
Terre Haute
Advantages
Median home prices in Terre Haute are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
The city features multiple reputable higher education institutions including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman.
An affordable cost of living allows residents to stretch their household budgets further compared to major metro areas.
A manageable average commute time reduces daily transit stress for local workers.
Ongoing downtown revitalization projects are bringing new dining, retail, and entertainment options to the city core.
Drawbacks
Average local salaries lag behind national medians, reflecting the regional economic structure.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily errands and commuting.
Job growth rates in certain high-tech sectors are slower compared to major national innovation hubs.
Winters can be cold and snowy, requiring preparation for harsh seasonal weather conditions.
Certain neighborhoods face economic transition challenges that impact local property values and safety metrics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fishers
#40Indiana, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
88
Business
80
Terre Haute
#413Indiana, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
55.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
70
Business
63
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